That would get my vote if I was planning on heating my domestic hot water over the summer... DUDE!

You can run a EFM in the summer time down to 2 1/2 lbs a hr. so if it ran 3 hrs a day you would burn 7.5lbs a day but it will depend on how much hot water you use per day and how hot you have your water set for

That would get my vote if I was planning on heating my domestic hot water over the summer... DUDE!

You can run a EFM in the summer time down to 2 1/2 lbs a hr. so if it ran 3 hrs a day you would burn 7.5lbs a day but it will depend on how much hot water you use per day and how hot you have your water set for

If the EFM can get down to 2-1/2 lbs per hour while stoking, how much does it burn per hour to maintain the fire?

when deciding on a boiler you should look at the reccomended chimney size and what chimney you haveAlso look at the way it is laid out and the spot you are going to put it.

The s130 you need access to 3 sides.needs a 5" chimney and burns pea coal.has no oil gun optionCannot be direct vented

when I research the s130 I found a few owners having a problem with "bumping"It's really a nice way of saying "small explosions" strong enough to blow off the draft control.It is really not known what was causing it., some thoughts were:1)coal fines was accumulating in the hopper and then got pushed into the grate causing a small explosion2) The 5" flue pipe was into too large a chimeny so it didn't have the proper draft.

I asked a guy the just sells coal about this and he said it is more common in stoves that burn pea coal.Even the hand fed ones. After you feed the coal in sometimes gases get caught in the middle and then ignite like fumes getting caught in the bildge of a boat.

The Keystokers don't have this problem maybe because the burn rice coal.the K2 has a 6" chimney can be direct ventedhas no oil burner option

the K6 has a 8" chimneyit can be ordered with direct vent optionit can have a oil burner option

the harman VF3000 calls for a 7" flu but the chimeny pipe coming off the boiler is 6"does not have direct vent optioncan be ordered with a oil burner option.

none of the units with the oil option come on automaticlyyou have to throw a switch or push a lever.

I think they are all good, you should decide which one is the best fit for you.

I am now just reading some of your post and I am interested in determining if coal is the way to go. I know oil is NOT the eway to go. It woul dbe helpful to know the pros and cons of coal.

At this time I have a boiler and air handlers (hot water over hot air) with an indirect hot water system (amtrol). I have about 2850 SF 2 story home. Good insulation and 2 x 6 framing in the walls. Casement windows, etc. A few yrs ago I insulated the rafters in the attic (save me alot in oil).

My concerns are:1. is using coal realy dirty;2. can it be stored outside;3. if its best inside, is there a way to keep the dust down;4. How much coal would a home like mine need;5. what is the going rate for caol6. has the price for coal been cliaming as well reducing any benefits?

That would get my vote if I was planning on heating my domestic hot water over the summer... DUDE!

You can run a EFM in the summer time down to 2 1/2 lbs a hr. so if it ran 3 hrs a day you would burn 7.5lbs a day but it will depend on how much hot water you use per day and how hot you have your water set for

If the EFM can get down to 2-1/2 lbs per hour while stoking, how much does it burn per hour to maintain the fire?

You would set the Timer for 2 to 2 1/2 min. every 30 min in the summer time

UsaveBob, I am new to coal, this will be my first year so my answers are from reading, not experience. I did have a friend that burned coal years back so I've seen it does work.

My concerns are:1. is using coal realy dirty; Bituminous, soft coal, is dirty, Anthracite, hard coal, what homes use, what we're talking when we talk burning coal...It depends on how careful you are. There is always some dust, but with care it can be fairly clean. I am getting a boiler with auger feed. My plan is to only handle coal one day each year. The ashes will be the only dust maker. A cover for the ash pan should get them out of the house without issue.

2. can it be stored outside; Yes. I do cover mine to keep animals out of it. If you will be using from an outside pile during the winter it can get wet and freeze into clumps. Best to cover it.

3. if its best inside, is there a way to keep the dust down; A fine mist of water keeps dust down. It doesn't even matter if it's damp when it burns.

4. How much coal would a home like mine need; a ton of coal ia about equal to 180 gallons of oil. How much oil do you (did you) use?

5. what is the going rate for coal. Today anywhere from $135 a ton to $365, depends on if it goes through a middle man or if you pick it up at the mine.

6. has the price for coal been cliaming as well reducing any benefits? Coal is going up Aug 1st by $20ish a ton. From all the numbers I've crunched it is THE cheapest way to heat, unless someone gave you a huge solar system. I'm in central Maine. I bought 24 ton and it was about $225 a ton delivered. That's a 5 year supply for me. Oil would have to drop to $1.07 to beat my price. Do not look directly into the grin on my face!

Today I bought an KA-6 144K BTU boiler. I have begun my mission of being free from oil. Now as long as the coal companies do not follow the oil industry we will be fine and continue to support them.

The two units were already on order (2 months prior) by the distributer and because of the size, I was able to get one. The other was already sold. Those who order now will not see their unit until 12-16 weeks (WOW).

Has anyone in this forum had any experience with an AA boiler? I have been surfing around the various forums and noticed some are saying that the AA is life time warrantee and self cleaning. Any input would be helpful. It’s an expense that one does not wish to repeat.